Elizabeth Taylor Dies at 79

Legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor, who for decades captivated audiences with her beauty and talent, died Wednesday in Los Angeles of congestive heart failure, the AP has confirmed. She was 79.

The British-born actress, who appeared in over 50 films throughout her illustrious career, rose to fame as a child actress in such movies as 'Lassie Come Home' (1943) and 'National Velvet' (1944). From there, she would go on to become one of Hollywood's most accomplished and praised actresses, landing roles in such classic movies as 'A Place in the Sun' (1951), opposite Montgomery Clift, and the epic 'Giant' (1956), opposite Rock Hudson and James Dean.

Taylor, who was nominated five times for an Academy Award, would go on to find even more success in the 1960s, thanks to the controversial 1960 movie 'BUtterfield 8,' for which she received her first Best Actress Oscar.

1963 finally saw the release of the epic movie 'Cleopatra,' on which Taylor met future husband Richard Burton. The movie also made Taylor the highest-paid star in Hollywood with a then-record $1 million contract.

In 1967, Taylor received her second Best Actress Oscar for her chilling performance in Mike Nichols' 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?'.

Taylor, who was plagued with health problems throughout her career, was also known for her often scandalous private life, which included eight marriages, two of which were to Burton. Taylor was also briefly married to actor Eddie Fisher.

Below, check out some of Taylor's most memorable on-screen performances.